Lamp mounted fire alarm

ABSTRACT

A fire-warning device is built into an extensible pole lamp assembly to sense extreme temperature conditions adjacent the ceiling. A thermal sensor and audible alarm are mounted within the pole lamp assembly and powered by the electrical energy from which the lamp bulbs are energized.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Albert M. Yankus 6 Ardsley Lane, East lslip, N.Y. l 1730 [21] Appl. No. 785,266 [22] Filed Dec. 19, 1968 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [54] LAMP MOUNTED FIRE ALARM 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 340/227.l, 340/283 [51] Int. Cl G08b 17/06 [50] Field 0! Search 340/227. l 227, 283, 214; 240/2 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,469,361 57l49 Gog niat 340/283 UX 2,809T3'6's 10/1957 Eiil'ili'r 340/283 ux 2,915,742 12/1959 Koundakjian. 340/2s3ux 2,982,949 5/1961 Pivetz 340/283UX 3,255,441 6/1966 Goodwin 6161 340/227x 1,068,440 7 1913 McCarthy 340/227 2,100,908 11/1937 Merdan 340 227.1x 3,500,367 3/1970 Fremontetal... 340/228 Primary Examiner.lohn W. Caldwell Assistant Examiner-Scott F. Partridge Attorneys-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: A fire-warning device is built into an extensible pole lamp assembly to sense extreme temperature conditions adjacent the ceiling. A thermal sensor and audible alann are mounted within the pole lamp assembly and powered by the electrical energy from which the lamp bulbs are energized.

'PATENTEDUEI SISYI 3511.334

Fig.2

IN VIiN'I'OK.

Albert M. Yanlrus LAMP MOUNTED FIRE ALARM This invention relates to a fire-detecting alarm device and more particularly to a pole lamp mounting for such fire alarm device.

Although fire detectors and alarm devices are well known, their use and installation particularly inresidential homes, has not been as widespread as possible because of the expense and inconvenience involved in installation. Although it has been suggested that such fire detectors and alarm devices may be built into other electrical appliances such as lamps, this type of installation has not been suitable because placement of the lamp for illumination purposes, is not generally compatible with the optimum location of a tire detector.

An important contribution of the present invention therefore is to provide a novel installational arrangement for a fire detector and alarm device whereby fire protection may be provided at a minimum cost and without any installational inconvenience and wherein the tire protection afforded will be effective because of proper placement of the thermal sensor component.

Thus, the fire-protecting device of the present invention is associated with an extensible type of pole lamp having ceiling and floor engaging end portions. The thermal sensor component is enclosed within the ceiling engaging end portion having openings through which the sensor is exposed to ambient conditions adjacent the ceiling surface. 'The audible alarm component such as a bell or buuer device is mounted within the pole body and electrically connected to the sensor for operation when extreme temperature conditions are sensed indicative of a fire. The electrical energy for operation of the audible alarm device is derived from the conductors through which electrical energy is supplied to the lamp units mounted by the pole assembly.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had .to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which FIG. I is a side elevational view of a typical pole lamp as sembly with which the present invention is associated.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an electrical circuit diagram associated with the pole lamp installed fire alarm system.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a typical pole lamp assembly generally denoted by reference numeral extending between floor and ceiling surfaces 12 and I4. The pole lamp assembly as illustrated includes a tubular body portion 16 supported between extensible rod portions 18 and 20. A floor surface engaging base 22 is connected to the lower end of the rod portion 18 while a ceiling surface engaging cup fonnation 24 is connected to the upper end of the rod portion 20. Thus, by locking the rod portions 18 and in extended positions with the base and cup formation engaging the floor and ceiling surfaces respectively, the tubular body portion 16 will be supported in a vertical position carrying angularly adjustable lamp units 26 and 28. As is well known. pole lamp assemblies of this type may be positioned at desired locations in order to provide illumination and are supplied with electrical energy for energization of the lamp units under control of an on-off switch 30 for example. An electrical power cable 22 extends into the tubular body portion 16 for this purpose.

Referring now to FIG. 2 in particular, it will be noted that the cup formation 24 engaging the ceiling surface 14 is pro vided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 34 through which a thermal-sensing switch component 36 is exposed to ambient conditions adjacent the ceiling surface. The thermal sensor 36 is therefore supported within the cup formation and is connected to a pair of conductors 38 and 40 which extends through the rod portion 20 from the tubula body portion 16 of the pole lamp assembly.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tubular body portion 16 of the lamp assembly encloses an audible alarm device 42 which is secured to the body in any suitable manner as by means of the fastener assembly 44 for example. The alarm device 42 is wired to the sensor 36 and derives electrical energy for operation from the current supply to the pole lamp assembly by the power cable 32.

As shown in FIG. 5, the alarm device 42 may be wired in series with the thermal sensor 36 to form a secondary circuit associated with a voltage stepdown transformer 46 the primary of which is connected across the current carrying conductors 48 and 50 enclosed within the power cable 32. The conductors are connected to the lamp units upon closing the on-off switch 30. Thus, electrical energy will always be available for operation of the alarm device 42 upon closing of the thermal sensor switch 36 when dictated by temperature conditions adjacent the ceiling surface 14. Because of this location of the sensor, an effective fire warning system is provided without any installational effort and at a minimum expense in view of its incorporation within a lamp assembly of the extensible pole type.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a vertical support for electrical appliances having surface engaging means at upper and lower ends and electrical conductors extending into the support supplying electrical power to the appliances, means for providing a tire warning comprising thermal sensing means mounted within said surface engaging means at said upper end, said surface engaging means having openings formed therein through which the sensing means is directly exposed to external ambient conditions, alarrn means mounted within the support in spaced relation to the sensing means and means electrically connecting the alarm means to the power supplying conductors through the sensing means, said support being an elongated pole member adapted to extend between floor and ceiling surfaces, and said appliances being positioned on the support axially between the surface engaging means.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said surface engaging means includes a cup formation connected to the pole member at said upper end, said openings being formed in said cup formation.

3. In combination with an extensible pole support body extending vertically between floor and ceiling surfaces for support of at least one electrical appliance intermediate upper and lower ends and power supplying conductors extending through the support body and connected to said appliances, a surface engaging formation connected to the support body at said upper end and adapted to engage the ceiling surface and having openings formed therein, sensing means mounted within said formation for direct exposure through said openings to external ambient conditions adjacent said ceiling surface, alarm means mounted within the support body, and electrical means interconnecting the conductors with the sensing means and the alarm means. 

1. In combination with a vertical support for electrical appliances having surface engaging means at upper and lower ends and electrical conductors extending into the support supplying electrical power to the appliances, means for providing a fire warning comprising thermal sensing means mounted within said surface engaging means at said upper end, said surface engaging means having openings formed therein through which the sensing means is directly exposed to external ambient conditions, alarm means mounted within the support in spaced relation to the sensing means and means electrically connecting the alarm means to the power supplying conductors through the sensing means, said support being an elongated pole member adapted to extend between floor and ceiling surfaces, and said appliances being positioned on the support axially between the surface engaging means.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said surface engaging means includes a cup formation connected to the pole member at said upper end, said openings beiNg formed in said cup formation.
 3. In combination with an extensible pole support body extending vertically between floor and ceiling surfaces for support of at least one electrical appliance intermediate upper and lower ends and power supplying conductors extending through the support body and connected to said appliances, a surface engaging formation connected to the support body at said upper end and adapted to engage the ceiling surface and having openings formed therein, sensing means mounted within said formation for direct exposure through said openings to external ambient conditions adjacent said ceiling surface, alarm means mounted within the support body, and electrical means interconnecting the conductors with the sensing means and the alarm means. 